[Latest update based on IRS payment schedule and addition of FAQs to 600+ comments below] The $2 trillion dollar stimulus bill (CARES act) has now been signed into law. Under this bill there is the widely reported economic stimulus payment checks of $1,200 per adult and $2400 for couples. For families they would provide $500 for every eligible child. The full stimulus check would be made to those earning less than $75,000 ($150,000 for couples) and would phase out to zero for those earning more than $99,000 ($198,000 for couples). Head of household tax filers will get the full payment if they earned $112,500 or less.

In the phase out range (i.e. between $75,000 and $99,000 for singles) for every $100 you earn above the lower limit ($75,000) payment drops by $5 until you reach the maximum limit ($99,000).

Example (single) – If Brian made $67,000 last year based on his latest filed tax return, he would get the full $1200 payment. If he had made $90,000 he would only be eligible for $450 ($1200 – $750). If he had made $110,000 he wouldn’t be eligible at all.

Example (married) – My wife and I made $185000. We filed jointly. Are we eligible to get anything from the 2020 stimulus? Answer – You would be eligible to get $650.00 (partial amount) under the direct payment program. Up to $150,000, you get 100% of the $2,400 stimulus payment. Anything over 150,000, you would subtract 5% of the amount over $150,000. So in your scenario, 35k over 150k. 5% of 35k is $1750, So $2400- $1750=$650.00

2019 or 2018 Filing Status

Income Below Which FULL Stimulus is Paid

Maximum Income To Qualify for Partial Stimulus

Single or married filing separate

$75,000

$99,000

Head of household

$112,500

$136,500

Married filing jointly

$150,000

$198,000

2020 Stimulus Check Income Qualification Thresholds

In addition to the above income limits to qualify for the $1200 or $2400 Economic stimulus check (or economic impact payment per IRS), recipients must have a valid Social Security number and cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer,

Roughly three-quarters of people who are eligible for a $1,200 stimulus payment from the federal government have received it, according to the Treasury Department.

The IRS has said that distribution of economic impact payments is nearly 75% complete and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. People with the lowest incomes will get their checks first and should already be seeing these payments in their accounts. Actual check payments take longer. The IRS also has a tool to check payment status, but be warned that this has been having issues providing accurate data and payment status. Millions of Americans have also started receiving their IRS Economic Impact Payment (EIP) letters outlining details of their stimulus payments. It provides details of the payment and a number to call, but don’t get your hopes up. At least not at this point. The number is just an automatic system giving a long message about what and who qualifies, and there are options to listen to more messages but that’s it.

If you haven’t already make sure you file your tax return (deadline extended to July 15, 2020) to ensure you get the 2020 stimulus check payment in addition to the extended and additional UI benefits. You can file for free at Turbotax and even at the IRS if you make below certain income limits.

Child or Dependent Qualification for the $500 payment?

Several readers have asked questions around the $500 child dependent additional stimulus payment. To get this payment you must have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and claimed the child as dependent ANDthe child must be younger than 17-years-old at the end of 2020. They must also be related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption (similar to the Child Tax Credit). There is no limit to the number of dependents who can qualify for the additional $500 in one household.

This age limit is much younger than what is used by the IRS in the qualifying child test where a child must be younger than 19 years old or be a “student” younger than 24 years old as of the end of the calendar year. Hence the confusion being caused by this. So just remember if your child or eligible dependent is 17 or over you cannot claim the stimulus payment for them.

College Kids and High School Seniors

The younger than 17 yr old requirement has ruled out several thousand college students and high school kids who are older than 17, but still being claimed as a dependent by their parents on their federal tax return.

However if you are a college student AND filed a recent tax return you can qualify for a standard/adult stimulus check per the above eligibility rules. But note as soon as you file a return you cannot be claimed as a dependent by others, which means they lose certain other tax benefits and credits.

What about on Social Security or SSDI (Disability)?

Social Security recipients, disability (SSDI), Survivor Beneficiaries and Railroad Retirees who are not otherwise required to file a tax return will also be eligible for the stimulus payments, as long as their total income does not exceed the eligibility income limits above. The IRS in conjunction with the Treasury and Social Security Administration announced that recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will automatically receive the $1200 Stimulus Check (formally called Economic Impact Payments). See details here. This group of recipients will receive the stimulus check the same way they currently get their federal benefits in early May with no further action needed on their part.

However note that because the IRS has no information regarding dependent data for this group of recipients, the $500 kid dependent stimulus payment would not be automatically paid to this group. They need to use the non-filers tool on the IRS website to claim this.

How will the Stimulus check payments be made by the IRS?

[IRS Updates] – The IRS has confirmed that payments for most working Americans are expected to be calculated and deposited or mailed via check based on 2018 or 2019 federal tax filing payment details. Most people won’t need to take any action and the IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic stimulus payment to those eligible. The Treasury department, under which the IRS falls has also created a website/portal for those who are not required to file U.S. income taxes or who have to change payment information (e.g direct deposit information).

For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the last valid return filed. So if your 2018 information is out of date or your income situation changed in 2019, make sure you file, even if you have no taxes due (start filing for free with TurboTax).

2020 Stimulus Check Payout Schedule

The IRS has confirmed that the distribution of economic impact payments (stimulus checks) has started and millions of Americans should have their stimulus check payment by now. Note that this will likely only apply to those receiving the payment via direct deposit (in line with how they get their tax refund or Social security check today). You can see the status of your stimulus check payment on the IRS Get My Payment portal.

Direct Deposit payments will generally be deposited 2 to 3 days after the IRS confirms income eligibility for the payout.

Physical checks will take at least 6 to 8 weeks to be mailed out.

Social Security Retirees and Disability recipients who are eligible for the payment will get the stimulus checks/payments deposited the same way they currently get their payments.

Given over 120 million Americans could be eligible for the payment, it will take a while to process the stimulus checks.

Stimulus Check Missing Payment Issues or Errors?

The IRS will also be mailing Stimulus Payment letters to each eligible recipient’s last known address 15 days after the payment is made. The letter will provide information on how the Payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the Payment. Note that the IRS or other government departments will not contact you about your stimulus check payment details either.

Why didn’t I get a stimulus check? Remember that the IRS has to have your direct deposit details, which is normally only provided if you received a 2018 or 2019 refund. If you file a return and they cannot use their portal to add direct deposit details, then your payment will come via check which could take several weeks. At this checks will likely start arriving at your IRS registered address from the end of April.

Finally you will also likely be able to claim any missing payments in your 2020 tax return as a tax credit. All this unfortunately will mean delays in getting your stimulus payment until issues are worked through.

How will child support arrears and payments be impacted with stimulus check?

I seem to be getting a lot of comments on this question around child support. The IRS has confirmed (see q21) that the stimulus check payment will NOT be offset or intercepted for those owe tax, have a payment agreement or owe other federal or state debts. It will however be OFFSET for past-due child support. This is because a court order for child support continues until it is modified or terminated. Similarly with unemployment compensation stimulus increases, your child support may be withheld from the UI payments. You will get a notice from BFS if this happens.

Injured Spouse Claim and Spousal Claims

The IRS also stated that If you are married filing jointly and you filed an injured spouse claim with your 2019 tax return (or 2018 tax return if you haven’t filed your 2019 tax return), half of the total payment will be sent to each spouse and your spouse’s stimulus check payment will be offset only for past-due child support. There is no need to file another injured spouse claim for the payment. I have received dozens of comments on this this, so hopefully this answers the questions many have had based on official IRS guidance.

Note that if you were current with your child support payments at the time of the stimulus eligibility determination (end of March) but fell behind afterwards due to a COVID-19 related job loss, you would still be eligible to get the full stimulus payment.

Updating Direct Deposit Information

This question has come up a lot in the hundreds of comments to this article. The IRS has setup a portal for individuals to provide their updated banking information to receive payments via direct deposit as opposed to checks in the mail. The IRS does recommend that 2018 Filers who need to change their account information or mailing address, file 2019 taxes electronically as soon as possible. That is the only way to let us know your new information. You can file for free via TurboTax.

If your bank account details changed, was closed or no longer active (so payment is rejected by the bank) a check will be mailed to the address the IRS has have on file for you based on your most recent tax return or as updated through the United States Postal Service (USPS). You cannot call the IRS to update payment or address details at this point in time.

Do I have to pay taxes on my stimulus payment?

No. Since the stimulus check is considered a refundable tax credit, it is not classified as earned income. Hence not considered taxable income you will have to report in your 2020 tax return (filed in 2021). It also won’t affect your income for purposes of determining eligibility for federal government assistance or benefit programs.

This payment also does not have to be paid back if any over payment happens or your gross income in 2020 changes. This includes your income rising to above the qualifying thresholds. If you unexpectedly got the payment, congratulations! You get to keep it now.

Returning Incorrect Stimulus Check Payments

A few people have commented that a spouse, relative or child who died since they filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return received a stimulus check payment. The IRS has provided official guidance on this issue which states that any payments made to someone who died before receipt of the payment should be returned to the IRS in full. The exception to this is for payments made to joint filers and one spouse who had not died before receipt of the Payment, in which case, you only need to return the portion of the Payment made on account of the decedent

Why you DID NOT Qualify for a Stimulus Check (Economic Impact Payment)

Several people have commented that they have not received or not gotten the correct amount on their stimulus checks. The IRS has provided the following reasons –

Your adjusted gross income in your most recent tax filing approved by the IRS was greater than than the limits shown above, which are $99,000 (single or married filing separately status)$136,500 (head of household filing status)$198,000 (married filing jointly status)

You CANNOT be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. This includes as a child child, student or older dependent. (But those under 17 dependents can get a $500 dependent stimulus)

You don’t have a valid Social Security number and/or are a nonresident alien.

You filed Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR or Form 1040-SS for 2019. These are quick filing forms, but you need a standard filing (e.g via TurboTax)

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Hi, I see so much on child support. Here is what I was able to verify. The non custodial parent owes $25k plus. The non custodial parent didn’t get payment but irs stimulus check but listed deposited. The Texas attorney general stated the stimulus payments ARE being taken for back support. So the NCP files for injured spouse on taxes. This is not a tax return. The Texas child support division said there won’t be any injured spouse requirement. The IRS listed no new form required. Said the NCP will receive letter they will take the entire $3900 since arrears is taken with no exception on injured spouse. This is not tax refund but stimulus check. The CARES ACT mandated this. The entire amount will go to CP due to arrears. The parents didn’t decide any of this. I was informed if the arrears is $1800 and stimulus is $3900 the person will only have $1800 paid to child support and balance to NCP. Hope this helps. We were also advised these payments aren’t subject to 180 hold but as the CP I haven’t received funds yet since IRS has to mail two letters one to NCP and one to NCP spouse.

This contradicts the Treasury offset program Letter I received regarding the offset. It specifically says that the Injured spouse can get half the stimulus payments while the other half will go the parent with arrears. How did you verify that the full household stimulus will go to child support arrears? I feel like there is so much confusion and infuriation that the whole family must pay for the debt of one parent. On no planet does this make sense.

Tina. My full household payment was taken for child support and I have filed as injured spouse for 10 years.
I received a letter that said my portion would be taken and my husband received the same letter.

Thank you for you article but the following statement is pure fiction:Direct Deposit payments will generally be deposited 2 to 3 days after the IRS confirms income eligibility for the payout. I added my direct deposit info on Wednesday April 15 at 8:24 am PDT. I am eligible and everything is correct. There has been no update of when my check will be deposit.

My husband fell behind on child support about 5 years ago while waiting to get approved for social security. I wasnt working because our new born daughter has down syndrome and needed help with everything. After almost 3 yrs of waiting he was finally approved. He always kept the child support payments up before he became disabled. Now he’s behind but still making the payments every month on the original order. Over half of his check is being garnished. So when people automatically assume that everybody who owes child support is a deadbeat have no clue what they are talking about. We struggle every month, not just now! I had to spend extra money for supplies due to covid-19. I’ve heard ypu can file an “injured spouse” form but how can you when you dont even file taxes. Plus child support will also take whats due to our daughter and give to his ex!! And she makes more money than we do, how is that even fair? It’s as if people who owe child support aren’t among those who are suffering! Not everyone who owe child support is a deadbeat. Everybody’s situation is different. It would be nice to catch up on bills or have a little extra cash. My pkan was to buy my daughter some much needed clothes but not now. I could go on and on about the struggle but I’m sure I’m not the only one. And im sure we will be left out of the next 2000 a month payments too, if it passes.

Please let me know if you find any information on this, I’m in a similar situation, long story short my sons mother said he wasn’t mine for 3 years, and I went after her, dna says he is , and the courts made me pat back child support , even though I went looking for him! Then never was late or missed a payment, I have 14 months left to pay regular, and 1100.00 total in arrears . I’ve recently lost part of a lung and a leg do to a severe illness, and I need to know if they are going to take it. I could totally use it for my new leg, after child support I only live on 673.00 a month after CS . And this is unreal.

My nephew has helped me take care of my disabled mother. He takes care of her at night while I sleep and I take care of her during the day when he sleeps. I’m retired but he is 35 and hasn’t been able to work for 7 years since she became disabled. Would he get a check?

I filed taxes for 2019 including the injured spouse form. I received my part of tax return. But now I received 2 letters from the IRS, one in my husband’s name and one in both of our names, stating that the stimulus check was applied to back child support. Does that mean they applied my part of the stimulus check to my husbands back child support too? Do I need to send another injured spouse form to the IRS to get my part of the stimulus check? However, the IRS web portal states that a deposit was send to my account, but I didn’t see it. Can someone explain this to me??

Hello Sigrid this exact same thing happened to me. All we can do is call the IRS and inform them of the issue. There is a a facebook group with a standard letter to be sent to your congressmen and/or representative. Its absolutely infuriating that one parents debt will mean the whole household will loose everything. I have never seen anything like this before. Even during the 2008 stimulus injured spouse were able to get their half. All we can do is wait for the IRS to open and speak to a live person. I am sorry you are going through this.

I filed taxes for 2019 including the injured spouse form. I received my part of tax return. But now I received 2 letters from the IRS, one in my husband’s name and one in both of our names, stating that the stimulus check was applied to back child support. Does that mean they applied my part of the stimulus check to my husbands back child support too? Do I need to send another injured spouse form to the IRS to get my part of the stimulus check? However, the IRS web portal states that a deposit was send to my account, but I didn’t see it. Can someone explain this to me??

My AGI for 2019 exceeded the limit making me ineligible to receive the 1200.00, however, in 2019 I withdrew from an IRA which was included I that figure. My annual salary for filing head of household does qualify me. If I hadn’t filed my 2019 taxes I would get it and should get it based on income. Is there an appeal process or a way for me to prove income so I can be eligible?

I am in the exact same scenario. I filed my 2019 taxes in mid-March which had a large IRA withdrawal. Anyone delaying their 2019 tax filing will receive the payment if they are in the same scenario, which is beyond unfair. In that case it should be based on the lower of 2018 or 2019. Why should anyone doing their civic duty by filing on time any paying their taxes and penalties early be fulther penalized? We already paid full federal and CA state penalties (is it even constitutional for two government entities to assess a penalty on the same amount?) plus higher tax rates, and now we effectively receive yet another IRA penalty of $2900 by being denied the stimulus? Perhaps to be fair the IRS should refund the “would have been” amount from the previously paid early IRA withdrawal penalties, even if it means not receiving the money until 2021.

I lived with my aunt last year november to january. She provided me for food and the house is my dad’s house she just moved here to take care of me . She provides food and electric bills but I provide my self like school expenses , personal things , I pay my own bills and school supplies. She claimed me on her 2019 tax return and now I am so worried because I live by my self now . I pay my own. I rent. I provide everything for me. What do I do to get the stimulus check that I deserved ? I know I’m not eligible for it because she claimed me but my situation now is different. I’ve been trying to call irs to make an appeal but they’re closed. Can anyone help me with this situation . Thank you

I got my letter today saying 1700.00 to child support but with filing married and 2 dependants it should have been 3400.00. Does anyone know how to find out where the rest went? I file injured spouse every year. I kid mine and 1 his. I should get at least 1700.00 for myself and my child. And of course there is no one to talk to just like unemployment… all of this promised help and when it gets real there is no help. I have worked ever since I could full time great career. First time I have ever asked for help by being laid off and I get nothing….

My husband and I filed taxes but we didn’t get a refund or owe anything. So our direct deposit info was not listed. We both get Social Security. Which is direct deposited. So will we get a check by mail or direct deposit. I went on the site to find out but it ask for refund amount or amount owed. We have neither. So didn’t give any information.

Well I think I know which way in voting in november. Stimulus checks were emergency funds, and all the web site gives is errors, not telling me if it’s gonna be direct deposited, mailed,what I might have needed to do to correct anything. Shared the point of the check if we don’t get it now?

The father of my kids owe back child i just got his tax return in Apri 2020 will his stimulus payment come to me as well? To this day he got back child support to pay in the amount of $2945.48. Thanks!!

Please Help! My daughter’s ex received the stimulus check on his account because they filed taxes together on 2018 but now they are not together, and he refuses to give her her share. What can She do??

Why cant my 18 college child recieve a stimulus she works as well although she is my dependent child I dont recieve a pay for her either. That nit right when someone on SSI with multiple kids recieve payment and they dont even work. This must be fixed.

I filed my 2019 tax return and got my refund. I ammended the return in early march to claim my grandaughter born in aug.2019 who lives with me and i support more than 50% of her needs. I received 1200 stimulus check. Will I get 500.00 for her?

I am on Disability and I have a Dependent she is 14 years old. I get a regular monthly check on the 3rd of each month so does my daughter. She receives her check in a custodial account which she has her own bank account but my name is on it. The government/Social Security also has her bank account information as well as mine. Will I have to do anything so she can get a seamless check? Or do I have to fill out a form for her? I am the one that’s on disability but she is my blood daughter and she is on my record also and she receives benefits from me. So do we both get a stimulus check when I get $1200? And will she receive the extra $500?

Hi, it’s said on their site that they didn’t have my direct deposit info on file, which I got 2019 refund via direct deposit already. Anyway, I have the info, any idea how long it will take to send it?

My hubby and I file jointly with one kid and an injured spouse form for him as i have past due education debt. In 2019, he worked for our income for a grand total of 24083. I did not work. Does anyone know why we only received 1450 today for the 3 of us when its suppose to be 2400 for joint couples and 500 for our child????!!!!!!!

Sounds like your payment was garnished for some reason (based on your husband I assume given he has a IS form). I would check status on the IRS Get my payment tool. If that fails, I would say you need to be patient and wait till the IRS provides a way to lodge an appeal for unpaid stimulus monies. Finally, you can also get this stimulus as part of your 2020 tax return, but I know that is a long wait.

My ex claimed me and my 2 children on taxes last year and deposited money into his personal account and he did not give me any of refund or anything for the children, I just checked to see when I would get mine & the childrens payment and they where deposited into his personal account today. I have left messages and he will not return my calls

Me and my wife received our joint stimulus deposit,and we made less than $150,000,but we didn’t receive the full $2400.00, looks like they took out $410.00 in taxes, leaving a actual deposit of $1990.00??? I talked to other people at my job and they had no taxes withheld???

I am divorced and am the custodial parent. This tax year 2019 he got to claim her and I get to for 2020 taxes. I filed head of household but I only received 1200.00. Does the non-noncustodial parent get her $500.00.

Same here. I didn’t get the $500 for my child since we alternate claiming him, and his father got to claim him on 2019 taxes. I can’t find much info on this issue. But it’s crap since I’m the one paying for everything and his father don’t see him often. I did read somewhere that if we didn’t get it now, we would get it when we file 2020 taxes. Not sure how true that is.

My dad has been on disability for years now so I know he’ll get the stimulus payment but what about his spouse. They haven’t filed their taxes since 2014 bc my mom doesn’t work and he’s been disabled. Will they give him the 2400 bc they are married or just his own share. I’m not sure if I have to take extra steps so that my mom will get her payment.

My husband owes back child support, because he fell on hard times. He has always taken care of his child, and the only reason his ex put him on child support, is because we got married. Spouses, of those who owe child support, should not be penalized for these payments. We have families of our own, and need the money for bills and food. My husband’s ex still has a job and is currently working. She also has 3 other children, which she will get money for, and she has more than enough for her household. The government really needs to make serious modifications to the laws concerning child support because it is having a devastating affect on the spouses and children in the other household.

Checked payment tool on IRS website, appears as if I will get my deposit today, nothing. Called offset program, have always filed injured spouse form with my past tax returns. Was advised by offset program the whole stimulus was sent for back child support my spouse owes. IRS is only available for automated calls. As of now have to wait and see if anything will be done for injured spouse or if refiling a new form is necessary.

I am having the same issue. I always file Injured spouse with each year’s return. I only received $100 yesterday, which is far from the 1/2 I expected due to my husband’s past child support being in arrears. I find it hard to believe that the IRS will not have a work around for this at some point, but it doesn’t help with the current financial situation. It is terrible to punish some people on debt that isn’t their own.

I agree 100%. This is bs! My husband’s excuse for an ex took off with their 4 kids and he lost everything trying to find her. Ended up 5 states over with a level 3 sex offender. He moved down there and fought for custody of the kids but was eventually laid off due to a work injury couldn’t afford rent and lost the apartment they were living in. Ex had left home of aex offender and moved on to some other guy and he was forced to give e the children to her so they’d have a roof over there head. He returned home to try and get back on his feet but she got legal aid to file a divorce. He couldn’t obtain legal counsel from NY to represent him in SC so a bs child support order went through based on income he hadn’t had on years. Tried getting assistance to fight that but again same bs only this time his ex skipped state again and didnt mo e the case with her. It took 3 years to get help from our states child support unit and of course by the time we reached an agreement there was $35000 in back support due that they would not even look at. I cant stand people that are like oh well pay for your kids..its not that simple. We have 1 children in our household now when from my prior marriage and one of our own that we do support. It makes no sense for him to work because they’d take his whole check for the ex and we’d have to pay someone to watch our toddler so we’d be even worse off. We get no help because at $40000/yr I’m over income for any kind of assistance. Of course she pulls the boohoo single parent bs while working as a waitress and pulling in tips that aren’t claimed fully as income and then she lives with is self employed and they arent married. She gets all kind of assistance and a huge return every year on top of a monthly child support payment from us and now she gets my portion of this payment too? My ex pays me $25 per month and has guaranteed income from social security. So before you go criticizing people acting like anyone who owes support is some kind of deadbeat….understand there are two sides to every story and the perao. Owed is not always right or deserving. Oh and we have the kids 2 and a half months out of the year while she still collects food stamps and support.

I had the same issue. On the website says was direct deposited to my bank yesterday but I received nothing. I file injured spouse to because of my husbands past due child support. I guess I will have to wait for the letter that is supposed to arrive in 15 days to see if was offset to CS. That is not fair at all though. They should have at least paid half. Taking the whole thing devastates an entire family.

I checked the my payment portal and saw that the checking account the stimulus check was deposited into went to my ex-girlfriends account. This is the account that I used for my taxes last year. Now she is going to get $1,700 is there anyway to get these funds legally? We are not on speaking terms and she is currently away in the Army. What steps should I take to retrieve the funds???

My husband has a 25 year old daughter and owes some arrears in child support but we are court ordered to pay monthly and have been. They kept his stimulus check because of it and we are out of work due to covid19. I have a 17 year old daughter living at home can I file a injured spouse relief form?

My ex claims the kids for taxes but they live solely with me. Only one child qualifies for the stimulus. He literally got paid $500 for a child he doesn’t care for. Yes, he pays child support but she lives with me. I am dealing with online school, kids home all day, trying to find necessities in empty stores…just bugs me. I know the government can’t sort this out but you would think he would have a conscious…

My husband has been paying and paying child support for 20+ years through the State of California. The state child support systems are extremely flawed. His child is 27 years old. We have three children together. Last year, we filed taxes together for the first time in 21 years, and over two-thirds of my dependent credits went to his ex-wife. I filed injured spouse. After four months, I finally received a refund for less than what was due to me as a credit for one full child. The government should not give this woman credit for my dependents. In addition, my husband’s child only contacts him when he wants money, which he has sent directly to him on many occasions and that amount is not included in his child support. The ex wife tells this, now adult, child that she doesn’t collect child support…. I have filed taxes separately for years, and have missed out on a lot of credits for my children, because of exactly what happened last year. This year, I returned to filing my taxes separately from my husband so that I didn’t have to jump through hoops to get what belongs to myself and my dependents. Not all parents are deadbeats! The system is antiquated and needs to be revised. Non-custodial parents should not have to pay for the rest of their lives. Child Support is a State Level Issue and should be treated as such. My husband’s stimulus rebate shouldn’t go to his ex spouse. He pays child support biweekly, and his tax refunds and rebate should not be intercepted. Each situation is different. Everyone should not be placed in the same box. The same applies for the 17 year old and above dependent tax refund and stimulus credits. These kids are not supporting themselves… I have an 18 year old special needs child that is my dependent. Parents should receive the $500 rebate for these kids as well. Some citizens did not qualify for unemployment with their states before Covid-19 because the system is prejudiced and backs businesses more than citizens. Some of us are suffering and have been asked to stay at home by order of our states. So, again, we do not all fit into the same cookie cutter box. I have had interviews cancelled because of Covid-19. We the People aren’t all receiving the help that is desperately needed.

I work, my husband works. I have 2 children from another person. My husband was behind on child support. Im not responsible for. They took the stimulus check for me and my kids and gave it to his ex! How is this right? How can this be corrected? I filed injured spouse on our taxes and got nothing in return either. 1200+1200+500+500. Trump sent me 741.

When will they release my portion of the stimulus check, I’ve filed injured spouse with my taxes every year. My husband and I got divorce and remarried but the child support order was never cancelled. I filed our taxes and was accepted back on 2/3/2020 and I’m still waiting for my portion of the taxes even though my husband doesn’t work due to a back injury.

my ex-husband and i have a 6 year old that we rotate yearly to claim her. But I also have an 11 year old son whom I have all rights to and have claimed him every year. He filed our daughter for 2018 and i was allow to file claiming my son like I do but this year as the agreement I got to file our daughter as well. Why wouldn’t I get the 2 $500 credits instead of one payment if I claimed them both for 2019?

I don’t see how the government could truly single is out that owe backpack for child support! We are all going through a depression as they say and everybody is hurting from this! I’m a person who is homeless but yet filed my taxes which I didn’t get because child support intercepted and that is okay! But now I am not only homeless but I also don’t have a job now and yet I don’t qualify for a stimulus check because of the backpack I owe! My backpack is being paid on my children who are now 26 and 28 and they got there own stimulus checks while I’m basically ass out because they took my stimulus check to payback for the children they say it will go to and who deserve it and I would agree if it was going to my children if they were still under 18 but I’m my case they are not! I wouldn’t even mind if they just gave me something and paid toward my child support also, because just because I’m homeless does not mean I don’t have any bills! I have things that I could lose myself if I can’t pay them and with no job, then I’m not able to pay on them! An my unemployment unfortunately owe payback because sometimes there comes a time people have to do what they have to do for a lil bit of money and in the end you end up paying for it and if course it comes at a time when we are going through a depression! So moreover of all this, is that the government could he of have is a lil something especially when my stimulus check is not going to my kids because they are already to old and there dad has a good job for himself and is a essential job he gets to keep going to work every day/every week and to top it off, my kids got there stimulus checks themselves!

What if I’m on SSI but child support put a hold on my license and payments but they reinstate it and gave me my license back haven’t received any call are letters it says if I’m on SSI I do not need to file do I still get the stimulus money if I’m on SSI

I filed head of household in Feb , just received s letter asking me to verify identity, I cannot do it online as I don’t have a credit card or student loan in my name and when I call there not taking calls . will this affect the direct deposit of my economic stimulus payment ? I i havent had to file since 2016.

I would call the Child Support division. Perhaps the payment on the 1st $700 paid didn’t go through when the IRS Stimulus occurred and you were double charged. It will be easier to call Child Support than the IRS. Good Luck !!

I am in the same situation…but with 2 ex’s trying to take from our daughters (2yrs old) taxes..gave birth to her April 2018. I am appealing it now…we got married last year in july 2019. After taxes taken..including all of state. (Which goes to his ex who lives in Indiana but claims in ky. Pretty sure that a stretch in the pokie.) They also take out his paycheck. This is a crisis so how can they take what’s suppose to help us from poverty? When they’ve taken half of paycheck every week…I have left message to governor but no response. I called child support in Ky left message and again no response…I understand none in office but surely someone has them sent to email or somethin. If someone could direct me on the next step…it be a blessing. God knows our daughter n I need ad deserve what’s ours. Hopefully we get stimulus and my husband just gets cut half on stimulus.

I am in this same boat my husband owes back child support, I however do NOT owe and they did not deposit my half of the stimulus check either so what now? Is there someone we call or we are just out of luck now? I’m so frustrated right now because his kids mom and her boyfriend just sit there neither one work now and collect tribal money and child support and both me and my husband work our butts off and now are struggling due to COVID I would have at least thought I would get my half!

Amanda Peterson your a bitch. The words came directly out of president Trumps mouth that this “stimulus” check is to help keep Americans afloat. This should be ALL Americans whether you do or do not owe back child support. Everyone’s situation is a little different and of course we dont know their whole story, but there really is no reason for you to be answering these folks with those smart ass remarks. Are you trying to help these people answer their questions or bully them?

Hi. I filed head of household last year with my 2 boys as dependents and it was direct deposited, my husband did not file last year. this year we filed jointly with the 2 boys but had to mail it in..I recieved my stimulus check for me and the boys by direct deposit so they obviously used last year info…so for my husband, will he get his separate for himself by mail ?

I file an injured spouse form with my joint taxes every year so my part of return is not applied to my husband’s past due child support. Will I receive part, or all, of my stimulus check with the form being filed with my taxes? Do I need to file it again?

But isn’t a injured spouse report supposed to be for an injured spouse and not for somebody that’s just decided not to work? doesn’t it have to be documented that they’ve actually been injured for you to be able to claim injured spouse?

“Injured” is just the term for saying that one spouse has debts not owed by the other, usually child support. By filing injured spouse that person will get their portion of the tax return and the person who owes child support will have their payment sent to the parent owed the child support. It doesn’t mean you’re actually injured or can’t work.

Please research before you speak. An injured spouse form is for people whose spouse owes money that could be taken from a tax refund. The form means the spouse do doesnt owe the money can get their portion of the tax refund and not have it go to the other spouse’s debt., like child support. My husband owes child support but I am not responsible fot it so I file the form to be able to get my portion of the refund. The form has nothing to do with injuries or not being able to work

Injured spouse does not refer to someone that is physically hurt. It is referring to the spouse that gets “injured” by the other spouses debt that they are not responsible for by having payments taken.

These people are referring to a spouse that has children with someone else and pays child support. The other spouse that is not responsible for their husband or wives child support can claim injured spouse so they can get some or all of their taxes back. Right now, even the non responsible spouse will have their stimulus reduced in the amount that is due in back child support.

My question is this. For people who fell behind on child support, and also lost their job due to covid 19 pandemic, how will they feed themselves or pay their bills if their stimulus payment is intercepted? How will someone pay rent if the money goes to child support? How am does someone buy groceries or feed the other children they have living with them? What resources are there for this situation

We are in the exact same situation here. My spouse lost their job a few months back barely scraping by now, and with the pandemic it has made finding work to do even harder so we NEED the money. But their “other” parent that is RICH is getting ALL of their check and then part of mine since we are married. It is absurd and we are hurting bad.

I totally get it but injure the other innocent children by taking their money during a pandemic??? This makes no sense.
I read earlier that the government is injuring immigrants by not allowing them to receive the stimulus and are going to give it to them. What about these kids who are being injured by no fault of their own because daddy owes money?
Just saying!

I owe the state of Oklahoma arrears for FOSTER CARE SUPPORT..there is not a current child support or foster care support case. I am disabled on ssdi they take 50$ a month for the back foster care support…so is the state going to get my stimulus money while i CONTINUE TO SUFFER!?

You will not get the check. If you do not owe the child support, but your husband does, send in an injured spouse form. I am not sure what tax year to use on the form. You can also call 1-800-304-3107 to see if your check is being offset.

My husband payed off his arrears last year with our income tax and this year when we filed he didn’t owe anything we got all our money. It wasnt until after we received our refund that they brought something up from 2009 when he was working they said the government was still collecting so now he owes again so how will that affect my stimulus check

My wife and I file taxes every year jointly but we have two checking accounts on file and split up our returns every year between those accounts. So my question is will the stimulus check just get put into one of those accounts or will it get split 50/50 between the accounts on file? Doesn’t matter either way I was just hoping they wouldn’t now mail it out instead of direct deposit since we have two different accounts on file with the IRS.

Hi. I filed head of household last year with my 2 boys as dependents and it was direct deposited, my husband did not file last year. this year we filed jointly with the 2 boys but had to mail it in..I recieved my stimulus check for me and the boys by direct deposit so they obviously used last year info…so for my husband, will he get his separate for himself by mail ?

My EX sits on welfare.Hes been waiting since August to see if he qualifies for SSDI.the 6th year in a row…he owes alot in support for our twins.Do people on welfare qualify? Or would his stimulus come directly to me? If so when?

My EX sits on welfare.Hes been waiting since August to see if he qualifies for SSDI.the 6th year in a row…he owes alot in support for our twins.Do people on welfare qualify? Or would his stimulus come directly to me? If so when?

My ex husband and I have an agreement that he claims our oldest who is 13. and we have two more. Our three children live with me all year full time. But he does claim one the oldest every year. So if I read that correctly he will get the 500 for the oldest. I have a noticed from bank stating they were depositing the 2200 and not 2700. But the kids are with me full time. When I filed my taxes through turbo, it states do we have an agreement that he can claim one which I chose. But I have all 3 as my dependents everyday all day every year.

If you agreed to let him claim one of the children then he gets that 500from that said child why are you being so petty? maybe you shouldn’t have been so gracious and let him claim one kid if he never takes care of any of them. why would you do that anyways if you aren’t together and he doesn’t take care of any of them? it doesn’t make sense this is on you. and you said your bank already let you know how much they were giving to you… so that should already tell you what they’re doing and that he’s getting the 500 for the one child. the government doesn’t know what you do on your personal time they only know what you write down on paper.

I file an injured spouse for my every year so my part of return is not applied to husband Past due child support. Will I receive part of stimulus with the form being filed with my taxes? Also I had my refund set up to be deposited on turbo tax card. Will the stimulus be deposited on there?

Although I file my injured spouse form every year to protect myself against my husbands previous debt, it did not work to protect my stimulus payment. The gov’t took the entire $2900 for child support and did not consider myself or my son at all. A great many people are seeing the same result. Apparently the gov’t doesn’t consider my child as important as the one from a previous relationship; though I believe they should be compensated equally.

My ex husband claimed the kids this year for 2019. He was NOT supposed to. I sent in my amended return a month ago and haven’t heard a thing.
Guess who gets the STIMULUS money for the kids that live with me. He only pay his support otherwise is absent in their lives.
This is wrong. Why is the money for the kids going to absent father’s.?

I reside in the state of vt and I owe back child support. Will my stimulant check be taken?? I’m very confused about this because I thought The stimulant pay is for people to survive? How am I supposed to survive if you are possibly going to garnish my stimulant pay?

A stimulus check is to stimulate the economy ONLY! it’s not to help any one person or group out of financial ruins. Does it do both at the same time? Yes but helping you is not its purpose is to keep the economy afloat until we can get back to work. Economy is a fancy way of saying “jobs”. Stimulus is to keep us running- somewhat, as if those jobs are still in place. I’m not good with explaining things but I hope you understand now what is stimulus is for and what it’s not for. oh and if people spend their stimulus checks on dope on the street it’s not going to do what it was intended to do… So please spend it on rent, bills and local businesses…

so I filed taxes for 2019. My AGI was less than $30,000 but more than $25,000. I filed jointly with my husband and have 3 children under the age of 8 years old. I qualified for child tax credit as well. I should be eligible for full stimules payment plus $500 for each child. I did recieve payment but in the amount of $1346. Why did i not get full payment, when i qualify?

You or your spouse may have had an offset. Call the Treasury Offset Line and put in both of your social security numbers to see if one of you do. If it’s child support arrears, it’s been intercepted and you won’t get back. Student loans or tax offsets you should receive a refund.

Our WHOLE stimulus check was intercepted. My current husband owes arrears andvthey took mine and my children’s from another marriage! Ironically my ex doesn’t file taxes so I won’t even get his. How am I supposed to support my kids??

Hey Madyson, I owe like 6k (from 23k) to child support. Do you happen to know for sure if the money they take from my stimulus check (1200) will go toward my outstanding debt to child support? I can’t seem to find an answer to this question anywhere.

what do you guys not understand about what a stimulus is and that if you have children you are solely responsible for them and should have been saving money and supplies for emergencies. This is parenting 101. a stimulus is to stimulate the economy ONLY. It’s not to help any one person or group out of financial ruins its to literally keep the economy AKA jobs afloat until we get back to work.

It is meant to help people pay Bill’s and buy food right now. What do you not understand about, not all folks can save for emergencies like this. Alot of folks barely get by from day to day let alone being able to follow your definition of “parenting 101”. Your ridiculous.

No..He is not ignorant. He is right. This is a one time opportunity to get the economy going. No one knew this money was coming. Now all of a sudden everyone comes out of the closets to claim. Cmon this stimulus is a gift to get things going. A ray of hope for some. For those of you who are selfish…God don’t like ugly.

I’m married and my Husband don’t work due to back injury and I have been filling Married Jointly and every year they take my taxes. Are they gonna take mine and my kids stimulus check? I think they shouldn’t cause we are in a damn crisis and we all need it. Please let us all know something So we can figure out what to do or if we need to prepare on been homeless soon.

If it’s child support arrears, yes. Our whole stimulus payment was taken. Even my children from another marriage. Sounds like you didn’t file Injured Spouse with your taxes. If it was any offset (student loans, taxes) you’ll receive stimulus. If it’s from child support arrears go to igotmyrefund.com and join the group Injured Spouse. A lot of info on there regarding this issue.

I file injured spouse every year and they still took mine and my daughters and put it towards my husband’s back owed support. In 2009 they divided it if they filed injured spouse so I wonder why its different for 2020

Yes but this off set for child support is not fair my husband and I support his children as well as their mother who has full custody we do everything we can to make sure the kids are well taken care of. We had the kids from the beginning of last summer until the beginning of this year We pay to support them and take care of them so how is it fair that we lose money and are home that does go to the children when they are here like it’s just ridiculous. He does pay his child support on time he only fell behind because of something he did stupid when he was younger but he is paid on time ever since and supports his kids fully as do I his new wife. I feel there should be exceptions for people like us that work our asses off and do help take care of our children. Because from the moment we got married those children became mine as well.

Some states will hold on to them for up to six months. Contact your cs office and they’ll tell you your state’s procedures. Obviously the owing parent had to register or had to file taxes in past two years for you to receive it.

Well I filed my 2018 taxes claiming 2 dependants and my 2019 taxes claiming 1 dependant. I got my deposit on Friday evening but only got the 1200. No where have I received any 500 credit for any dependants. Has anyone else experienced this.

Our whole stimulus check was taken for family of four. There seems to be some discrepancy on what happens now. We may be able to file Injured Spouse to receive only HALF of the stimulus. Not our share, but half. Too much to post here. Please go to igotmyrefund.com and join the injured spouse group. They have been a wealth of information for people in our position.

My ex-husband is in arrears nearly 5K in child support, but this did not go into effect until our last court date in Jan 2020. The last time the State of Illinois reported child support arrearages to the US treasury was in Dec. 2019, and won’t again until May 2020. Will/Did/Has the US treasury checked “real time” current amount of arrearage as of the stimulus package in March, which would allow his expected stimulus check of $2700 to be redirected to me, to help cover some of the 5k in arrearage he owes? Or am I stuck only getting my $1200 because of the timing of his arrearage being reported, being between Dec. 2019 and May 2020, so this will slip through that crack and I won’t get any additional funds from his stimulus to help cover this arrearage?
How “real-time” is the Treasury doing checks on past-due child support before direct depicting these checks? What are the chances his will be re-directed to me?
Thanks,
Stephanie

Call 800-304-3107. Option 7. Option 1. Option 1 again I believe. Then option 2. This is the option about a consumer debt or debt you incurred in a personal capacity. Enter the social security number of the person whose would trigger the offset, ie my husband has backowed support, i entered HIS social. This told me our entire $3900 check was taken, and gave the name and number of the agency that requested the offset. Hope this helps.

Call the Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107. They will tell you the offset for each social security number. Our whole stimulus was intercepted family of four. My kids are from another marriage. It’s crazy.

Yes, I owe back Child support myself, being a mother I was screwed over by my ex husband, have the government ever wondered that people May be behind because they actually need some help? My son is with me more than he is with his father, lives with me and I still have to pay child support!!! That is not right, so yes I’m behind due to the fact, I support my son, he lives with me, why would I send money in every month to the person that is not supporting him. I’m out of work right now due to this virus! So how is it fair my ex gets my stimulus. What’s the point of saying it’s to help when it’s not gonna help the person who actually needs it!! It’s bull. And not fair!! The government goes off numbers and only what they see on paper, but they never know the back stories and just assume!

It’s not to help you or any one person or group out it’s a stimulus to a stimulate the economy… Economy is a fancy word for jobs! a stimulus is to keep the economy afloat until we’re able to get back to work. It’s so cute you think the government actually cares about anyone. They only care about what keeps money in their pocket and that’s the economy. Is it going to help people out during the process? yes it will but that’s not what it’s intended for. Do I believe Trump is an exception to this rule? yes, I do.. to an extent. I think Trump cares about Americans lives and America, but the government as a whole does not.

Then why give us any money at all if it Isn’t to help us. By giving us the money to help us, buy food, pay bills, buy common household necessities, and support Ourselves and our families, we are in turn giving it back to the economy. Therefore the money is to help the American people. There are so many people that owe back child support for so many Different reasons, that this money is not doing anything but going right back into the government damn pocket. I owe back child support, but I thought that this $2 trillion stimulus package supposed to be enough money to help each and every single American with a social security number, which in turn will stimulate the economy where the consumers will spend the money. My kids are full grown men, and I live in an area that is in deep poverty. 80% of the people around me oh back child support for children that are already grown and they’re just trying to pay what they still owe will not be getting a stimulus bail out, Nor will the children that they are paying back child support for considering they are no longer children therefore it is going right back into the pockets of the government. Which in turn keeps the poverty, in poverty, middle class, in middle-class and the rich rich. I was hoping to use this money to fix my car, and renew my expired drivers license, so that I may be able to get a job and go back to work when this is all done and over. But after reading this ridiculousness on this so-called help, I have lost all hope.All these other people can get breaks on Student loans and other of debt the people that all child-support continue to sink in a hole I have a bad feeling that this is not going to go away. This entire thing is an absolute disaster. I feel really bad for all of the people that thought they may be able to make it for another month, And get caught up on a few bills just to find out they’re not getting any help as usual.

My ex hasn’t seen kids in 3 years. Child support is garnished, not through the state as we did it through civil court and his company sends me the garnishment. He has missed several payments due to him not working for a bit way before this, but no record of him being behind cause his company doesn’t collect arrears it’s up to him to pay it. He gets to claim dependency but I get HOH and EIC I’ve raised my 3 kids on my own since our last child was born. I didn’t file last year because I didn’t make enough as I was laid off. I haven’t filed this year. Is he going to get the $1500 for my kids?

I am so confused. I was caught up on my child support but was let go from work. The next month’s child support payment went on record, so now I am $500 behind again. Will the the ex only get the $500 and would I receive the rest ?

I am married and my husband has back child support. He is on disability and pays his child support every month with his disability. Every year I have to file injured spouse for both my state and federal because of his debt. The mother is a addict and does not have custody of the kids. My husband and I also share 2 children together. Will they take my children and my portion of the stimulus package even with me filing injured spouse? Please let me know. It would be really helpful. That would be messed up if they gave my kids and my package to an active addict. Thank you

I WORK FULL TIME, MY HUSBAND ON DISABILITY HE HAS BACK CHILD SUPPORT FROM LONG BEFORE ME, I ALWAYS FILE INJURY SPOUSE FORM ALSO I HAVE A CHILD WILL THE INJURY SPOUSE FORM STAND IN AS WELL FOR MY STIMULUS CHECK FOR ME AND MY CHILD, I DONT WANT MY MONEY GOING SOMEWHERE TO SOMEONE I DONT EVEN KNOW
THANK YOU PLEASE RESPOND

It’s not to help you or any one person or group out it’s a stimulus to a stimulate the economy… Economy is a fancy word for jobs! a stimulus is to keep the economy afloat until we’re able to get back to work. It’s so cute you think the government actually cares about anyone. They only care about what keeps money in their pocket and that’s the economy. Is it going to help people out during the process? yes it will but that’s not what it’s intended for. Do I believe Trump is an exception to this rule? yes, I do.. to an extent. I think Trump cares about Americans lives and America, but the government as a whole does not.

For Dad’s who owe arrears..yes it should go to the Mother or vice versa. Did you ever think how you impositioned her when to didn’t pay to begin with?!?! Instead you blame her now..when it was the kids that went without..before Covid. I get that not all circumstances are the same, but if it goes to her it’s because you have a large balance & its federally mandated because you owe significant.

Amen! And another thing they don’t understand what a stimulus means they think it’s a way for the government to help a person… when it’s to stimulate the economy and keep it afloat until we get back to work not to pay their way. It does help but that’s not what it’s intended for. I’m so sick of these mothers and fathers not paying for their children but then want to whine and cry when they’re not going to cash in on the handout. do I think it would be beneficial for them to receive some money during this crisis of course I’m not cold-hearted but I’m tired of the whining and crying game when they obviously didn’t care that their children were going without or that the caregiver of those children were going without to make sure the children had what they needed.

Why do you even keep commenting? do you think repeating yourself makes things any easier. You have absolutely no idea What it’s like to be in these peoples shoes. Why don’t you STFU! Every time I read how inconsiderate, and hollow hearted your “Hey look at me, I get to kick these confused parents that are in peril while their down, and be a condescending bitch” comments I have to choke down the vomit from the absolute disgust I feel. This isn’t going to help anyone. And because of you’re inconsiderate and condescending backlash, I hope you have to choke down the fear of poverty and homelessness when Karma comes knocking on your door. You disgust me.

What I don’t understand is .. how is a stimulus check gonna help me and my current family if my ex-wife gets both of our stimulous checks.. She will be receiving a much needed check already to help her family.. Me and my family will not be receiving a check at all.. How can a emergency stimulous check be taken away completely from one family and sent to another… That defeats the whole purpose of helping out all Americans.. There are slot of legitimate reasons child support could be behind.. Those reasons should be handled in court not during a pandemic that we are all suffering from..

Because it’s not for any one family to help them out of a financial crisis… It’s to solely stimulate the economy until we can get back to work. You better tell them to spend that money on the rent, bills and local companies so it can do what it was intended to do..stimulate the economy.

I am in the exact same situation the government denied me unemployment food stamps my job is shut down no income an my ex wife is getting over 5000 bucks now plus her husband is driving vehicles I bought this is a joke and slap in the face IM A DEAD BEAT BECAUSE SHE LIED TO CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES AND NOW THEY WANT REMOVE ARRANGE EVEN WITH PROOF OF MY REAL INCOME!!!

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